PBN Around the Horn: Service Time, and More Gripes, Lockout Day 7

Welcome to the PBN Around the Horn. Here you’ll find news and notes from across Major League Baseball, your Pittsburgh Pirates, and around the Sports Now network.

The lockout trudges on, and after reading several updates and articles, there are several things the players union are asking for, but one that sticks out the most is the service time manipulation. Teams intentionally won’t field the best of talent for a certain amount of time to avoid super 2 scenarios or gain an extra year. 

According to Ethan Hullihen of Pittsburgh Baseball Network, he mentioned that the players had brought a proposal to the table, and the league is refusing to budge at the moment. This could be an indicator of how long this lockout will be. Would getting rid of service time manipulation be enough for you? As always, let us know in the comments.

UPDATE (12:29 p.m.) MLB Trade Rumors listed two potential Pirate trades once the lockout ends. The first was Pittsburgh native David Bednar and the second was Chris Stratton. One would think that the Bednar “rumor” is nothing more than a bored idea to create buzz but Stratton seems like a legit trade piece.

Pair Of Pirates' Relievers Should Attract Trade Interest Once The Transactions Freeze Is Lifted https://t.co/4Ha9JPe62A pic.twitter.com/PWR6rHrx4o

— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) December 9, 2021

Pittsburgh Baseball Now Notes 

Bob Nutting Sells… Seven Springs

John Nogowski Selected by the Braves in the Minor League Rule-5 Draft

Five Underrated Pirate Prospects

Pirates Prospects Notes

Tim Williams and John Dreker give us the low down on all things Pirate Prospects on Wednesday. Leading off, Tim tries to temper our expectations of the minor league rule 5 draft. Batting cleanup with the bases loaded is John, and he gives us the recap of the winter league games. 

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